French automotive parts supplier Hutchinson SA developed a "thermoplastic" door seal. It is understood that this product is 30-50% lighter than similar EPDM products.
Total's innovation manager Olivier Blottiau said the new product consists of several thermoplastic compounds, some of which are vulcanized thermoplastics and some are elastomers.
In terms of cost, the new products are only "slightly" more expensive than EPDM-based products, depending on the features required.
According to Total, this "thermoplastic" material features end-bonding, flocking or granular surfaces and is castable-ideal for OEMs.
Hutchinson believes that the bendability of profiles made with this technology cannot be achieved with traditional EPDM and metal inserts.